Hair tie, manufacturing method and equipment of the same

ABSTRACT

A hair tie includes a fabric and an elastic band. The fabric has a first edge and a second edge, and is bent such that the first edge and the second edge are side by side. The elastic band is enclosed within the fabric. The elastic band and the first edge and the second edge of the fabric are stitched together. The two ends of the fabric are interconnected. The present disclosure also provides a hair tie manufacturing method and equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hair tie: in particular, to a hair tie which stitches a fabric and an elastic band together, and can have many different forms.

2. Description of Related Art

Using elastic bands in hair ties is a conventional method. A typical hair tie can be one of two types. One type of hair tie has folds for styling purposes. The traditional manufacturing method for this type of hair ties stitches the fabric into tube shapes, then manually insert elastic bands into the fabrics, and finally stitch the two ends of the fabrics and the elastic bands together, forming a annular body.

The other type of hair tie does not have folds. This type of hair tie is tidy and clean, and can have adornments thereon. The traditional manufacturing method for this type of hair ties wraps yarns around elastic bands such that the surface of the hair tie is even.

As seen from the above, the manufacturing methods of the two types of hair ties are completely different. Therefore, the production lines are naturally different. When manufacturers want to produce these two types of hair ties, two different production lines are needed, thereby increasing costs. Additionally, the manufacturing method for the first type of hair ties require large amount of manual labor, resulting in inconsistent quality, limited production speed and raised production costs.

Hence, the present inventor believes the above mentioned disadvantages can be overcome, and through devoted research combined with application of theory, finally proposes the present disclosure which has a reasonable design and effectively improves upon the above mentioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a hair tie which can solve the aforementioned problem requiring different production lines for different types of hair ties.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, the present disclosure provides a hair ties which includes a fabric and an elastic band. The fabric includes a first edge and a second edge. The fabric is curved such that the first edge and the second edge are side by side. The elastic band is enclosed by the fabric. The elastic band is stitched with the first edge and the second edge. The two ends of the fabric are interconnected.

The present disclosure also provides a manufacturing method for hair ties, including the following steps: supply a fabric at a first preset speed; bend the fabric such that the two edges of the fabric are connected, to form a stitching edge; supply an elastic band at a second preset speed, disposing the elastic band at the stitching edge of the fabric; stitch the elastic band to the stitching edge of the fabric; turn over the fabric; stitch the two ends of the fabric such that the fabric and the elastic band form a annular body.

The present disclosure also provides a hair tie manufacturing equipment, including a fabric feeding device, a eversion device and a stitching machine. The fabric feeding device includes a fabric feeding portion, a band feeding channel, and a stitch opening formed on the fabric feeding portion. The band feeding channel is disposed on the fabric feeding portion. The fabric is fed through one end of the fabric feeding portion to the stitch opening. The fabric turns along with the wall of the fabric feeding portion. The elastic band is fed through the band feeding channel to the stitch opening. The eversion device is disposed at one end of the fabric feeding portion. The stitching machine includes a stitch needle and a stitch thread. The stitch needle carries the stitch thread a back and forth at the stitch opening, such that the stitch thread stitches the fabric and the elastic band.

The present disclosure has the following advantages: the fabric and the elastic band are stitched together by providing fabrics of varying lengths to obtain hair ties of varying forms.

In order to further the understanding regarding the present invention, the following embodiments are provided along with illustrations to facilitate the disclosure of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional diagram of a hair tie according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional diagram of a hair tie according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional diagram of a hair tie according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A shows a side view diagram of a hair tie according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B shows a schematic diagram of a finished hair tie according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A shows a side view diagram of a hair tie according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B shows a schematic diagram of a finished hair tie according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a hair tie manufacturing equipment according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a eversion device according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a hair tie manufacturing method according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The aforementioned illustrations and following detailed descriptions are exemplary for the purpose of further explaining the scope of the present invention. Other objectives and advantages related to the present invention will be illustrated in the subsequent descriptions and appended drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional diagram of a hair tie according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the present disclosure provides a hair tie 1, which includes a fabric 10 and an elastic band 20. The fabric 10 has a rectangular shape and can have patterns thereon (not shown in the figure). However the present disclosure is not limited to such. The two edges of the fabric are defined as a first edge 11 and a second edge 12. The fabric 10 is curved such that the first edge 11 and the second edge 12 are side by side. The elastic band 20 is stacked on the first side 11 of the fabric 10 and stitched thereon, such that the elastic band 20 is fixed to the fabric 10. At this moment, the two edges of the fabric 10 and the elastic band 20 are exposed. As shown in FIG. 1, the dotted line marks the area of stitching.

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional diagram of a hair tie according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2B shows another cross-sectional diagram of a hair tie according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, after turning the fabric 10 with the elastic band 20 stitched thereon inside out, the elastic band 20 and the two edges of the fabric 10 are not exposed, and the elastic band 20 is enclosed within the fabric 10. This prevents the stitching on the two edges of the fabric 10 from being pulled and falling off, and hides the elastic band 20 within the fabric 10 for aesthetic purposes. After the fabric 10 has been turned inside out, stitch the two ends of the fabric 10 and the elastic band 20, such that the fabric 10 and the elastic band form an annular body, namely the finished product of the hair tie 1.

The hair tie 1 can have two different forms depending on the difference in lengths between the fabric 10 and the elastic band 20. FIG. 3A is a side view of the fabric 10 prior to being turned inside out. As can be seen from FIG. 3A, the fabric 10 and the elastic band 20 have substantially equal lengths. FIG. 3B shows a finished product of hair tie 1 of FIG. 3A. Referring to FIG. 3B, this type of hair tie 1 has a simple and flat styling.

FIG. 3A is a side view of the fabric 10 prior to being turned inside out. As can be seen from FIG. 4A, the two ends of the fabric 10 are respectively connected with the two ends of the elastic band 20, thusly creating folds on the fabric 10. FIG. 4B shows a finished product of hair tie 1 of FIG. 4A. As can be seen from FIG. 4B, this type of hair tie 1 has folds and is stylized.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a manufacturing equipment for the hair tie 1. Referring to FIG. 5, the present disclosure provides a hair tie manufacturing equipment 4 for combining the fabric 10 and the elastic band 20 into the abovementioned hair tie 1. The hair tie manufacturing equipment 4 includes a fabric feeding device 50, a eversion device 60, a sewing machine 70, a spreading machine 80 and a fabric cutting machine 90.

Referring to FIG. 5, the fabric cutting machine 90 cuts relatively large pieces of fabric 10 into fabric 10 of predetermined size, and rolls the cut fabric 10 into rolls to facilitate use and storage.

The fabric feeding device 50 includes a fabric feeding portion 51, a band feeding channel 52, a stitch opening 53 and a guiding device 54. One end of the fabric feeding portion 51 is funnel shaped. The other end of the fabric feeding device 51 has the stitch opening 53. One end of the guiding device 54 is connected to the funnel-shaped end of the fabric feeding portion 51. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the guiding device 54 is formed by a winding bar such that the fabric 10 can be accommodated within the curved portion of the bar.

The fabric 10 cut into predetermined sizes is fed through the end of the guiding device 54 connected to the fabric feeding portion 51, and is windingly disposed on the winding bar which provides the fabric 10 margin for operation. When the fabric 10 is not fed at even speeds, the excess fabric 10 can be temporarily stored on the guiding device 54, such that longer fabric 10 does not come in contact with contaminated objects are gets tied up due to the excess length.

After passing through the guiding device 54, the fabric is fed into the funnel-shaped end of the fabric feeding portion 51, and curves with the wall of the fabric feeding portion 51 such that the two edges of the fabric 10 are side by side, forming a stitching edge (not labeled) on the folded fabric 10. The stitching edge is exposed at the stitch opening 53.

The elastic band 20 is fed through the band feeding channel 52 and is exposed at the stitch opening 53. At the stitch opening 53, the elastic band 20 is disposed overlayingly with the stitching edge of the folded fabric 10. Namely, the stitching edge of the folded fabric 10 and the elastic band 20 are exposed concurrently at the stitch opening 53.

As shown in FIG. 5, the sewing machine includes a stitch needle 71 and a stitch thread (not labeled). The stitch needle 71 is disposed on top of the stitch opening 53. The stitch needle 71 carries the stitch thread back and forth at the stitch opening 53 such that the stitching edge of the folded fabric 10 and the elastic band 20 are stitched together.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram of the eversion device 60. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the eversion device is disposed at the other end of the fabric feeding portion 51. The eversion device 60 is preferably a tube-shaped body. The fabric 10 and the elastic band 20 are wrapped around the outside of the tube-shaped body, and fold into the inside of the tube-shaped body through one end of the same, such that the turning over of the stitched fabric 10 hides the stitching edge of the fabric 10 and the elastic band 20 within the fabric 10. The fabric 10 which is turned inside out and the elastic band 20 leaves through the other end of the tube-shaped body to move away from the fabric feeding device 50. The fabric 10 which has been turned inside out and the elastic band 20 leaves before the stitch opening 53, namely leaving on the stitching edge of the unstitched fabric 10.

The spreading machine 80 is disposed downstream of the sewing machine 70 and the eversion device 60. The spreading machine 80 includes at least two rollers. The fabric 10 is sandwiched between the rollers. The two rollers provide the elastic band 20 and the fabric 10 which have been stitched and turned inside out a speed to leave smoothly.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a manufacturing method of the hair tie. Referring to FIG. 7, the present disclosure provides a hair tie manufacturing method including the following steps:

First carry out step S1: cut the fabric 10 into a predetermined size decided by the type of hair tie to be manufactured by the user.

Next carry out step S2: wind the cut fabric 10 and arrange it into a roll.

Next carry out step S3: feed the fabric 10 from the roll of fabric 10 to the fabric feeding device 50 at a first preset speed. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fabric 10 is fed into the funnel-shaped end of the fabric feeding portion 51.

Next carry out step S4: bend the fabric 10. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fabric 10 is folded and bends along the wall of the fabric feeding portion 51, such that the two edges of the fabric 10 are side by side to form a stitching edge on the folded fabric 10.

Next carry out step S5: feed the elastic band 20 to the fabric feeding device 50 at a second preset speed. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the elastic band 20 is fed through the band feeding channel 52.

Next carry out step S6: stitch the elastic band and the stitching edge of the fabric 10.

Next carry out step S7: turn the fabric 10 inside out, such that the stitching edge of the fabric 10 and the elastic band 20 are not exposed.

Next carry out step S8: cut the stitched fabric 10 and elastic band 20 into a specific length.

Finally carry out step S9: stitch the two ends of the fabric 10 and elastic band with specific length together, such that the fabric 10 and elastic band 20 form an annular body.

In summary of the above, the present disclosure has the following advantages. The necessary hair tie can be simply manufactured by stitching the fabric and the elastic band. Different types of hair ties can be obtained by adjusting the relative lengths between the fabric and the elastic band. The fabric and the elastic band are stitched at the same time, simplifying the manufacturing process.

The descriptions illustrated supra set forth simply the preferred embodiments of the present invention; however, the characteristics of the present invention are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alternations, or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the present invention delineated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair tie comprising: a fabric, which has a first edge and a second edge, and is bent such that the first edge and the second edge are side by side; and an elastic band, enclosed within the fabric; wherein the elastic band is stitched together with the first edge and the second edge of the fabric, and the two ends of the fabric are interconnected.
 2. The hair tie according to claim 1, wherein the length of the fabric is greater than the length of the elastic band.
 3. The hair tie according to claim 1, wherein the length of the fabric is substantially equal to the length of the elastic band.
 4. A hair tie manufacturing method, comprising the following steps: feeding a fabric at a first preset speed; bending the fabric such that the two edges of the fabric are side by side forming a stitching edge; feeding an elastic band at a second preset speed, such that the elastic band is disposed at the stitching edge of the fabric; stitching the elastic band and the stitching edge of the fabric; turning the fabric inside out; and connecting the two ends of the fabric, such that the fabric and elastic band from an annular body.
 5. The hair tie manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the first preset speed is larger than the second preset speed, such that the length of the fabric is larger than the length of the elastic band.
 6. The hair tie manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the first preset speed is substantially equal to the second preset speed, such that the length of the fabric is substantially equal to the length of the elastic band.
 7. The hair tie manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the following steps are included before the fabric is fed at the first preset speed: cutting the fabric into a predetermined size; and winding the fabric into a roll.
 8. A hair tie manufacturing equipment, for stitching a fabric and an elastic band, comprising: a fabric feeding device, which has a fabric feeding portion, a band feeding channel and a stitch opening formed on the fabric feeding portion, wherein the band feeding channel is disposed at the fabric feeding portion, the fabric is fed through one end of the fabric feeding portion to the stitch opening, the fabric bends along the wall of the fabric feeding portion, and the elastic band is fed through the elastic feeding channel to the stitch opening; a sewing machine, which has a stitch needle, and carries a stitch thread back and forth at the stitch opening to stitch in one go the fabric and the elastic band; and an eversion device disposed at the other end of the fabric feeding portion, for turning the stitched fabric and elastic band inside out.
 9. The hair tie manufacturing equipment according to claim 8, wherein the fabric feeding device has a guiding device, and one end of the guiding device is disposed at one end of the fabric feeding portion.
 10. The hair tie manufacturing equipment according to claim 8, further comprising a spreading machine disposed downstream of the fabric feeding device and the sewing machine.
 11. The hair tie manufacturing equipment according to claim 8, further comprising a fabric cutting machine disposed upstream of the fabric feeding device.
 12. The hair tie manufacturing equipment according to claim 8, wherein one end of the fabric feeding portion is funnel shaped. 